Chapter 2

Hurrying through the corridors, Maya quickened her pace, knowing that her next destination was none other than P.E., a class she dreaded with a passion, especially with the likes of Harper and her devoted cheerleaders. The room was bustling with activity, groups scattered across the field engaged in various sports, but Maya couldn't help but notice the preferential treatment the cheerleading squad received. They were given their own space to practice, a privilege that irked Maya though she kept her thoughts to herself.

The rest of the class was divided into baseball teams, a process Maya found archaic and unjust. The captains' selection process only served to reinforce social hierarchies, with the last ones picked often feeling like outcasts. Maya usually found herself somewhere in the middle, tolerating the system but empathizing with those perpetually relegated to the end of the line. The transformation of some, like Sam, from social outcasts to newfound "cool kids," thanks to affiliations with Harper's group, was a bitter pill for Maya to swallow.

As Maya approached the batting area, her focus shifted to Angelo Stiles, the quintessential high school alpha male. His smirk, directed at her, was enough to ignite a spark of defiance within her. Taking up the bat, Maya positioned herself, ready to face Angelo's pitch. His first throw narrowly missed her face, a close call that left Maya seething.

"Ball!" The umpire's call echoed across the field.

Angelo's apology was accompanied by an unrepentant smirk, fueling Maya's determination. As she prepared for the next pitch, Angelo's aim veered towards her stomach, causing Maya to stumble and fall, much to the amusement of the onlookers.

"Ball!" The umpire's voice rang out again, but Maya felt as though she was dodging more than just a ball. Angelo's actions bordered on aggression, yet Maya bit back her retort, rising to her feet with a steely resolve. As Angelo chuckled, Maya squared her shoulders, tightening her grip on the bat, ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.

How she yearned to wipe that arrogant smirk off Angelo's face! With a determined glint in her eye, Maya readied herself as Angelo wound up for another pitch. This time, the ball flew true, and Maya's reflexes kicked in. With a swift swing, she connected with the ball, the impact resonating through her arms as she watched in astonishment as it sailed through the air.

The unexpected turn of events left everyone in shock, none more so than Maya herself, as the ball veered off its trajectory and struck Angelo Stiles squarely in a sensitive area. The cocksure blonde crumpled to the ground, his cry of pain piercing through the air.

Amidst the chaos, the cheerleaders gasped in horror, their usual poise shattered by the unexpected mishap. Harper, however, managed to maintain her composure, though a glimmer of amusement danced in her eyes as she observed the unfolding spectacle.

Sam, on the other hand, couldn't contain his laughter, erupting into uncontrollable fits akin to a hyena's cackle. His lack of concern for his writhing friend contrasted sharply with Jason's sympathetic gesture as he leaned over Angelo, offering words of solace.

Dawson's gaze lingered on Maya, a mixture of surprise and admiration flickering in his eyes. Maya, unfazed by the commotion around her, turned to the umpire with a raised eyebrow, her voice laced with dry wit. "Do I still need to complete the run, or can we call it a game?"

The field fell into a stunned silence, the unexpected turn of events leaving an indelible mark on the day's proceedings. Maya's bold move had shifted the dynamics on the field, leaving everyone to ponder the unforeseen consequences of a simple swing of the bat.

Joseph Burns, Maya's father, remained blissfully unaware of the rift between Maya and her former friends, Dawson and Jason. He was a devoted and loving father, his office adorned with Maya's photographs, her achievements displayed proudly for all to see. Joseph often sang her praises at work, collecting every issue of The Chronicle she had published and treasuring them like precious artifacts. His perception of Maya bordered on idolization, perhaps fueled by his dedication to his job that kept him occupied for long hours. Maya appreciated his unwavering support and cherished their close bond.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'm planning a George Clooney movie marathon tonight," Maya reassured her father over the phone, multitasking as she slipped into her combat boots. "Yeah, Dawson and Jason are bringing snacks. They're convinced I'll turn them gay with my movie choices." She chuckled, checking her reflection in the mirror before applying lip gloss. "I'll let them know they can crash here if they want to. Love you too." Hanging up, she tossed the phone on her bed and grabbed her backpack, ready to head out.

Locking the house behind her and tossing her bag into her car, Maya set off, her focus shifting to her phone as she texted Steve about their plans. As she drove, her mind buzzed with excitement over the rumors of strange occurrences in the forest. It could be anything from a simple curiosity to something more sinister like a drug deal or government experimentation. Armed with her camera, Maya was determined to uncover the truth and capture it in photographs for The Chronicle.

Arriving at the designated meeting spot, Maya received a disappointing message that Steve had been grounded and couldn't join her. Undeterred, she steeled herself and retrieved her camera with night-vision capabilities from her bag. Her father's thoughtful gift of extra batteries for her camera filled her with gratitude as she embarked on her solo investigative journey.

Navigating through the forest, Maya used her camera as a makeshift flashlight, its night-vision feature guiding her through the darkness. Her determination to uncover the mysteries lurking in the woods overshadowed any hesitation, fueled by her father's unwavering support and belief in her abilities.

As Maya ventured deeper into the woods, her mind buzzed with anticipation. She couldn't help but grumble to herself about the possibility of stumbling upon another clandestine rendezvous between students, a common disappointment in her career as a junior investigative journalist. However, her determination outweighed her skepticism as she trudged onward, ensuring she didn't lose her way in the dense foliage.

For the next thirty minutes, Maya traversed the quiet woods, her senses alert for any signs of unusual activity. The night seemed eerily calm, with only the occasional hoot of an owl breaking the silence. It was almost disappointingly uneventful, a stark contrast to the excitement she had anticipated. Inwardly, she was grateful that Steve wasn't there to witness the lackluster expedition.

Just as Maya was about to give up and turn back, a subtle movement ahead caught her attention. Squinting her green eyes, she peered through the darkness and spotted a lone figure, possibly in his thirties, standing in a clearing. What intrigued her more were the three individuals who emerged from the shadows, approaching the man with cautious urgency. Their hushed conversations and vigilant demeanor hinted at something clandestine.

"This could be a drug deal," Maya thought, a flicker of excitement reigniting within her.

Zooming in with her camera, Maya tried to capture details of the group, but the distance and darkness posed challenges. Determined to gather usable evidence, she steeled herself to get closer despite the risks. The prospect of uncovering a significant story fueled her resolve, even as caution whispered in her mind.

"...not dead."

The snippets of conversation she managed to catch only piqued her curiosity further. Clad in hooded cloaks, the group's discussions hinted at cryptic subjects that left Maya's mind racing with possibilities.

"...lineage..."

"...stars..."

"...Harbor..."

As the conversation veered into increasingly enigmatic territories, Maya strained to catch every word, her journalistic instincts on high alert. The mention of "Harbor" and discussions about lineage and elders added layers of intrigue to an already mysterious situation.

"What was going on? And why were they so agitated?" Maya mused, her mind racing to connect the fragmented clues.

As suddenly as they had appeared, the group dispersed, vanishing into the darkness of the woods. Maya remained crouched, hidden, her mind racing to process the cryptic snippets she had overheard. What had she just witnessed, and how could she piece together the puzzle?